CLASS II. AVES: 
ORDER 8. 
NATATORES. 
311 
THE MUTE SWAN. 
It is a curious fact that swans live to a great age ; in some instances, it is said, to nearly a hun- 
dred years. 
The Hooper or Whistling Swan, O.ferus of Ray, C. musicus of Bechstein, is the Cygne Sau- 
vage of the French, Cigno Salvatico of the Italians, Singschwan of the Germans. It derives its 
popular name from its loud, sonorous cry of A007?, hoo}^^ hoop^ often repeated. It is supposed to 
be the swan of the ancients, which was said to utter a sweet and plaintive song when dying. This, 
as well as some other species of swan, has a low, soft note, but not reserved for the moment that 
precedes death. This species is frequently domesticated in the north of Europe ; in a wild state 
its migrations extend over Europe, its winter haunts, however, being in the warm parts of Asia 
and Africa. It is about twice the size of a goose, and is perfectly white. 
The Mute Swan, C. olor, is somewhat larger than the preceding, and is of a more graceful 
carriage ; it is in fact the species chiefly domesticated as the ornament of rivers, lakes, and fount- 
ains. It is four feet eight inches to five feet long, and weighs about thirty pounds. Its nest is 
formed on the ground, usually on an island, near the edge of the water, and consists of a large 
mass of reeds, rushes, and other coarse herbage ; the eggs are six or seven, of a dull greenish- 
white. During incubation the male guards the female with jealous care, and inflicts serious blows 
with the beak and wings upon any intruder. The young cygnets are led, or sometimes carried on 
the back by the female, to the water, as soon as hatched. No spectacle can be more pleasing 
than a pair of swans with their train of cygnets reposing or gliding upon the water. This 
bird is found wild during summer in Northern Europe ; in winter it migrates to the south ; 
it is stationary in Greece, Asia Minor, ^c. It has long been domesticated in England, and 
formerly extensive swanneries existed on the Thames and other sheets of water. In 1625 no less 
than two thousand swans, in one flock, were to be seen upon the Avon ! The swan was considered 
a bird-royal, and no person was permitted to kefep them, except by royal grant. The king had 
swanneries and swanherds, not only on the Thames, but in various other parts of the kingdom. 
All the swans were marked, each owner having a particular sign. The statutes regulating 
the swanneries would fill a volume. There are still several large swanneries upon the Thames, 
chiefly belonging to the crown and to the "Dyers and Yintners'" companies. They are annually 
